The Heirloom Rose
In the summer of 2021, my partner Yanaka san was at the Tokyo Wagakki workshop and spotted an incredible sao on a table, lined up among a number of supremely high end sao. Otaki san (the president of Tokyo Wagakki) noticed his awe, as the tenjin had so much tochi figure, it almost looked ablaze in flame! He told Yanaka san, "That sao is very rare. It's almost impossible to find such high figured kouki thick enough for tenjin, so this might be the one of last of it's kind."
フルサイズ (53 pics)
Specifications
- Sao/Tenjin: Tochi Kouki (Highest Grade)
- Sao Size: Futozao (30mm wide), V-style neck
- Mitsuori with Kinbozo
- Chibukuro: Ogi Cut (Akatsuki style)
- Itomaki: Soragara Mentori (star shape with edges recessed). Kouki jointed to black ebony
- Skin: Hibiki (Black/White Synthetic) or Vintage Tone (Natural)
- Dou: Karin with Ayasugi
- Hardware: Azuma Sawari, Rindo, Zagane, and Kamigoma
- Accessories not included
One of it’s Kind
Because kouki is regarded as a “standard” wood for shamisen, many people assume it’s been used for hundreds of years as a “traditional” shamisen material. In fact, kouki’s use in shamisen only started in the 1960s! After WW2, craftsmen were worried about shitan becoming more expensive and harder to acquire. In this time, a wood supplier (Nakajima san) had a sample of kouki from India and decided to have it made into a prototype shamisen. After showing prototype to shamisen players and makers, kouki immediately became very popular due to its incredible tiger stripe figure and luscious color. The 1960s to 1980s was a Golden Era for the makers of kouki shamisen as it was so easy to get thick pieces of kouki with high levels of shimmering tiger stripe figure.
Hundreds of these exhibition quality shamisen were made, but because they harvested so much wood, it eventually became much harder to get kouki with high levels of tochi (tiger stripe figure). Furthermore, the remaining kouki with tochi was getting thinner. It could be used for highly figured sao, but not thick enough for tenjin. Soon after, the Golden Era of kouki crashed.
Knowing the history of kouki’s rise and fall (in terms of harvesting highly figured wood), it’s safe to say that any highly figured kouki shamisen is made from wood harvested in the 90s or earlier. (Newer kouki have almost no tochi figure) Tokyo Wagakki has wood saved from that era, and it’s safe to say that the kouki wood in the Heirloom Rose is about 40 years old.
Otaki san believes this is the very last kouki shamisen of it’s kind, to have such high figure in the tenjin. Personally, I’m hesitant to claim it’s the “last”, (because it’s always possible there might be an old mill somewhere that has leftover kouki from that era, or perhaps sitting in some craftsman’s warehouse) but can confidently say it’s incredibly rare, and we may never see a brand new kouki shamisen with blazing figure across the entire sao/tenjin again.
For this reason, it’s an heirloom-worthy treasure which anyone should be humbled to be in the presence of. Because of this, my partner and I agreed to invest in it together and make it available for the fine folks in the Bachido Community. After all, a brand new shamisen of this immensely high quality is not only impossible to find outside of Japan, but is incredibly hard to find even inside Japan!
No Refunds
As you can imagine, this shamisen is the top-tier in the luxury department, and it was difficult for us to acquire for the community. Thus, as you can imagine, it’s a treasure which I’m obligated to be careful in considering it’s new owner. To be respectful of this heirloom-level instrument, the new owner must be serious in their commitment. There are absolutely no refunds and no payment plans.
Be sure you know how to assemble a shamisen (free instructional materials are available on Bachido), as there are also no refunds if a part is damaged during assembly or use. If anything is damaged in assembly or use, I can arrange to have the damaged part sent to Tokyo Wagakki for repair (the owner is responsible for repair fee and shipping fee). Basically, you must treat this shamisen as your own baby which you alone are responsible for. 🙂
How to Order
If you are committed to the Heirloom Rose, please contact me at store(at)bachido(dot)com and tell me your experience and connection to shamisen (it’s okay if you’re a beginner). Why do I want to know? Several years ago, a very wealthy customer requested the very best shamisen I had simply to indulge their expensive tastes. They had no musical experience, had done no study into shamisen (online or otherwise), and had no knowledge/respect for my efforts in making shamisen accessible to the world. The general vibe was “I’m paying a lot of money, so I earned the right to treat you poorly.” Needless to say, it was one of the worst experiences I had, and I almost shut down Bachido because of it. Based on that experience, the owner of the Heirloom Rose will be decided based on their love/relationship to shamisen as well as the trust I feel toward them, not simply based on their ability to afford it.
To clarify, I would be just as happy for a beginner to own this as a advanced player. I’m just avoiding those who simply desire the bling.
Color Darkens With Age
One very important fact to know about kouki is that no matter how bright red it is when brand new, kouki always darkens with age as it’s exposed to sunlight and oxidization. Almost all wood darkens with age, but even more significantly with kouki. Please keep this in mind as you imagine your future life with the Heirloom Rose. :-)
Order the Heirloom Rose Shamisen!
Important: Please read before purchase.
The Heirloom Rose
Friendly Email Interview Required
Serious Inquiries Only
Email: store(at)bachido(dot)com
Payment: Check or Wire
No Refunds
No Payment Plan
Get your Accessories!
To bring the price as low as possible, all recommended accessories are sold separately. Find them below, and get cases or other accessories in the Bachido Store! (The Heirloom Rose is shipped from a separate dealer, and can't be combined with other items from the Bachido Store. Sorry!)Bachido Doukake- by Kyle Abbott
The Bachido Doukake is hand-lacquered with a super hard resin and glistens with a "dipped in glass"-like appearance. It is very durable and will keep your shamisen protected while looking simply stunning! Prepare yourself for the oncoming compliments! Handmade in California by Kyle Abbott. Check it out!
ふじ糸津軽糸セットパック (IT-TS) Tsugaru Ito Set Pack (Fujiito)
一の糸が２本、二の糸セット（２本入り）、三の糸セット（５本入り）
$46 USD
音緒 (NE-T) Neo
音緒とは糸を結びつけておく部分です。完全手作りで、しっかりと編み込んであるため硬く丈夫です。音緒が伸びてほつれてきた場合にはお取り替えをおすすめいたします。たくさん色を取り揃えています。三味線に合わせてお好きな色をお選びください。
$65 USD
胴ゴムシール (DO-GM) Dou Gomu Shi-ru
胴ゴムシールは、三味線の胴の下面（膝に当たる部分）に直接はりつけます。演奏中に三味線が膝からすべり落ちるのを防ぐのでとても役立ちます。
$10 USD
譜尺 (SF-1) Fujaku
フレットのない弦楽器を弾くときにポジションの目安がないと難しいという初心者の方も少なくありません。この譜尺シールを棹の部分に貼付けるだけでそんな不安もすぐに解消されます。透明のツボシールが、左手で押さえる勘所の数字を示しています。三味線に慣れてくれば譜尺をはがせばいいだけなのです。
譜尺シートのビデオをみる
$10 USD
指掛け (YB-M) Yubikake (Machine Knit)
左手の親指と人差し指にはめ、三味線のポジションを押さえるときに使います。滑りやすく勘所への移動がとても楽になります。右のボックスからサイズと色を選んでください。
$15 USD
Bachi
べっ甲調撥 (BA-BC) Faux-Bekko Bachi
超オススメ品! 初心者にも上級者にもバッチリ。本物のべっ甲とかわらない使い心地と柔軟性、長時間のハードな津軽弾きにも十分耐えるので安心してご使用いただけます。亀にもうれしいニュースですよね！
$269 USD
木撥 (BA-K) Wooden Bachi
津軽弾きをすると欠けることもありますがどんな曲を弾いてもどんなテクニックにでも対応できます。木目の好きな方、木に特別の愛着がある方には貴重な品です。
$45 USD
プラスチック撥 (BA-P) Plastic Bachi
三味線をちょっとやってみたいなあ、氷を削るのにも一本ほしいなあ、という方のための商品。色々な曲を弾いて楽しむのには十分なバチです。残念ながら、ジャンジャン思い切り弾きたいという方にはおすすめできません。
色は白と黒がありますのでお好きなほうをお選びください
$35 USD
Koma
先骨竹駒 (KM-TB) Bamboo Koma #1 (Bone Tip)
音の質: 澄んだ歯切れのよい音がします。竹駒にくらべて、先端の骨部分がシャープなサウンドを生み出します。
材質: 台部分 – 竹 / 糸道部分– 骨
高さ: 8mm
$50 USD
紅木駒 Kouki Koma #1
三味線の張りが低いときにおすすめです。
音の質: 硬め、トーンにも色がでますが「さわり」をつけたときに響きの長さがみじかめ
材質: 台部分 – 紅木 / 糸道部分 – 象牙
高さ: 8mm
$50 USD
紅木駒 Kouki Koma #1
三味線の張りが低いときにおすすめです。
音の質: 硬め、トーンにも色がでますが「さわり」をつけたときに響きの長さがみじかめ
材質: 台部分 – 紅木 / 糸道部分 – 象牙
高さ: 8mm
$50 USD
忍び駒 (KM-SNOBI) Shinobi Koma
三味線の音がうるさいと近所の人に文句を言われていませんか。二日酔いで頭ががんがんしているけど三味線を練習しなければならない日がありませんか。そんなとき、この消音用「忍び駒」が役立ちます。いつもの駒からこちらに付け替えるだけで音量がぐっと下がります。糸をはじいた時の音はかなり消されますが、バチを叩いた時に出る音は隠せません。
音の質: 消音（意図的に）
材質: プラスチック
高さ: 7mm
$14 USD
「静」忍び駒 (KM-SNOBI2) Shinobi Koma - Deluxe
改良を重ねてついに画期的な新製品の登場です！消音効果だけでなく、こんな利点がついてます：
1) 津軽奏法独特の前撥うしろ撥ができます
2) 叩き奏法での撥音が軽減できます
3) 消音時の音量も調節できます
音の質: 消音（意図的に）
材質: プラスチックとアルミ材
高さ: 調節可能
$65 USD
Ito
ふじ糸津軽糸セットパック (IT-TS) Tsugaru Ito Set Pack (Fujiito)
一の糸が２本、二の糸セット（２本入り）、三の糸セット（５本入り）
$46 USD
ふじ糸丸三 一の糸 (IT-1F) Ichi no Ito 2X (Fujiito)
こちらの絹製の二の糸は一巻きで２本分使え
ます
太さ：25
カートに入れる前に、太さをえらんでください
$33 USD
丸三テトロン 二の糸 (IT-2T) Ni no Ito (Fujiito)
テトロン製の二の糸セット（３本入り）
太さ：15
カートに入れる前に、太さをえらんでください
$7 USD
丸三ナイロン 三の糸 (IT-3N) San no Ito (Fujiito)
ナイロン製の三の糸セット（５本入り）
太さ：14
カートに入れる前に、太さをえらんでください
$7 USD
Import Tax
Please be aware that Bachido is NOT responsible for covering import tax, and must be covered by the customer. Because import tax varies depending on the country, please check your country's import tax and make sure you will be able to cover the cost of the tax as well as the items you are purchasing from Bachido.Return Policy
As this is a very rare shamisen made with the highest standards, you must be 100% commited to this heirloom instrument. There are No Refunds for any reason. It will be packed very carefully and will be fully insured when shipped.We apologize for the extreme strictness of the policy. Given it's rarity and price, we must treat it's sale with great care and understanding.
Damages
The Heirloom Rose is fully insured from initial shipment to until final delivery. If the Heirloom Rose Shamisen is damaged upon arrival, please proceed with the following instructions.
1. Contact us within 48 hours of receipt notifying us of the damage.
2. Send us at least three photos: one photo of the full product, a close-up (or several) of the damage, and a photo of the package.
3. We may ask you to fill a “damage claims form” at your local post office for reimbursement purposes.
4. In most circumstances, we will pay shipping costs for your replacement. In special cases, we may ask that you pay shipping costs.
If any damages occur to the Heirloom Rose, Bachido will arrange for repair by Tokyo Wagakki. The damaged parts will have to be shipped to Japan, and the owner is responsible for the cost of repair and return shipping fees.
Skin Replacement
The skin of the rose Shamisen is guaranteed up to 6 months (starting from initial shipment). We will only request shipping costs to be covered by the customer. If the skin ruptures before then, please proceed with the following instructions to receive skin replacement.
1. Contact us within 48 hours of receipt notifying us of the ruptured skin.
2. Send us at least two photos: one photo of the full dou (body), and a close-up (or several) of the tear in the skin.
3. When we confirm the your rose Shamisen is covered for skin replacement, we will tell you the address of where to send the rose Shamisen dou (body) for skin replacement, and will request a specified payment to cover costs of return shipping.
4. Please watch this video to learn how to remove the dou (body) from the rose Shamisen Watch how to remove the dou.
5. When the dou is separated from the shamisen, please pack it tightly in a box, filled with lots of protective packaging to prevent potential damage to the dou during shipping.
6. Send it to the address we provide. Once it arrives, it will be reskinned as soon as possible, and then sent back to your address.
To ensure longevity of the skin:
Keep your shamisen inside, in a cool, dry environment. Extreme heat (inside a hot car, for example) or cold stresses the skin.Remove the koma from the shamisen after every practice session. The koma puts pressure on the skin. When the shamisen is not in use, removing the koma will increase the lifespan of the skin.
Play your shamisen often! The more you play, the better your shamisen will sound! Just like how doing yoga keeps your body flexible and limber, playing the shamisen often will keep the skin vibrating. Vibrating the skin keeps it supple and responsive. On the other hand, when the shamisen isn't played often, the skin will get brittle, and thus prone to breaking sooner.